LOU MARTINS

lou Martinsis a Portuguese Sagittarian who moved to Portland, OR by way of New Haven, CT, where he tattooed for two decades and co-founded Lovecraft Tattoo. His favorite kinds of tattoos to do are often inspired by art deco and cubism: Bold, dynamic, refined. Clean lines and shapes. That said, he balances this propensity by sometimes exploring more ethereal and dreamy stuff, tattoos inspired by Victorian postcards, silent-age movie stars, and old magic posters.

He sees himself as part of the lineage of great American homo tattooers like Samuel Steward and Cliff Raven.

"To me, tattooing is a means of self-expression, but it's not only that, people come to me to be transformed, to be exalted, to externalize the stuff that's going on inside of them. That's so cool! I am very grateful that this is my occupation, and honored by the trust that my clients put in me. Tattooing always pushes me toward new kinds of beauty. It encourages and rewards my curiosity. I experience so much joy at work!"